Politics

The Senate adopted the housing agreement. The debate focused on the renter's levy, which should yield 1.7 billion in savings. Following objections from Labour Senator Duivesteijn, Minister Block made ​​a number of commitments.

The renter's levy the cabinet wants to introduce should be of a temporary nature, according to Labour Party senator Duivesteijn to the Senate. He is considering submitting a motion about the subject. The voice of the Labour Party is crucial for the government.

Minister Frans Timmermans (Foreign Affairs) does not want to the "dirty work" for other European countries by prematurely opposing Albany's membership. He will look for allies within Europe to support his position.

While the world was in grief Friday about the passing of Nelson Mandela, a major newspaper and a politician from a major political party here have found themselves apologizing for racially insensitive public statements they made on Thursday regarding the South African leader’s death

The Public Prosecution (OM) demanded 120 hours of community service or 60 days imprisonment against former Meerssen mayor, Ricardo Offermanns. Offermanns (VVD) participated in violating professional secrecy by receiving confidential information from former Roermond alderman Jos van Rey (also VVD), according to the OM

Former Commissioner of the Queen of North Holland, Harry Borghouts, repeatedly warned former deputy Ton Hooijmaijers in the past to steer clear of the real estate sector, according to his statement Wednesday morning on a local radio station.

The CDA and PvdA fractions in Maastricht think mayor Hoes should be more aware of his public function. Pictures serviced in the media, showing Hoes kissing another man, not being his husband, on the mouth, in the lobby of a hotel.

An MP for anti-immigration party PVV has revived a plan to deport people from the Antilles and Aruba for criminal acts. The plan from MP Sietse Fritsma is virtually identical to the one proposed by former VVD integration minister Rita Verdonk in 2007.